Method and device for measuring length, area or volume

ABSTRACT

A device and a method for determining length, area, and/or volume using a distance measuring device  10  includes a transmit unit  18  and a receive unit  20  in one housing, a keypad  28  for operating the measuring device  10 , and an integrated computer  22  for evaluating measured data, and a display panel  26  for displaying the measurement results. The display panel  26  of the measuring device  10 —after the operator selects a desired measurement mode by pressing just one button  32  on the keypad  28 —uses an icon-based graphic display to indicate which of the individual measurements required to determine the desired measurement variable has yet to be carried out.

This application is a 371 of PCT/DE01/04635, which claims the priorityfrom foreign application DE 101 04 877.7 filed Feb. 3, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a method and a device for determininglength, area, and volume using a distance measuring device.

A method and a device for measuring area and volume was made known in DE198 48 628 A1, which said device is based on the fact that, from acentral point in the space to be measured, all spacial and surfacecorner points to be detected are pointed at and acted upon by a laserbeam. The 3D values of the corner points are determined by the reflectedlaser beam based on the distance and the associated angles, and atrue-to-scale drawing is created. The device disclosed in DE 198 48 628A1 includes a laser distance measuring device comprising a lasertransmitter and a laser receiver that is attached to a stand via atilting and rotating device for positioning and for measuring angles.The device disclosed in DE 198 48 628 A1 also includes a telescopicsight and an electronic evaluation unit for capturing and transmittingdata on angles and distances, and a computer connected therewith.

The method disclosed in DE 198 48 628 A1 is extremely expensive andrequires a relatively long preparation period on the part of theoperator, since a reference coordinate system, among other things, mustbe determined in advance of every measurement. Moreover, an additionalexternal computer is needed for the method presented that has a furthernegative impact on the costs and the user friendliness of this measuringsystem.

A laser distance measuring device (“DLE 30 Laser plus”) is made known inthe catalog entitled “Gewerbliche Elektrowerkzeuge: Bosch Programm2000/2001” from Robert Bosch GmbH, D-70442, Stuttgart, Germany, withwhich said device length, area and volume can be measured. This devicehas a multi-line display panel in which, when a measurement mode isselected (for measuring either length, area, or volume), the type ofmeasurement and the lengths to be measured are presented using icons.

Moreover, the “DLE 30 Laser plus” laser distance measuring device has akeypad, each button of which is associated with a measurement mode. Bypressing one of these buttons, the measurement mode associated with thisbutton is selected, and the desired measurement variable can bedetermined by starting the measuring procedure.

This device has the disadvantage that the measurement signal used is alaser beam that absolutely must not strike the eye of the operator orthe eyes of anyone else present in the surroundings where themeasurement takes place, because this can cause irreversible damage tothe retina. This measuring device is also relatively large and heavy fora handheld measuring device.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a method anda device for calculating length, area and volume that providesrelatively accurate measured results and that the operator finds easyand intuitive to learn and that are safe to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method according to the invention and the device operating accordingto this method for measuring length, area, and volume have the advantagethat the desired measurement mode can be selected and changed using justone button on the keypad.

As a result, the keypad on the measuring device is clearly arranged,which makes the device easy to understand and operate.

A measurement mode selected once via the unequivocal measurement modebutton on the device is shown in a schematic, graphic presentation inthe display panel and can therefore be easily monitored by the operator.

With the method according to the invention, the operator—after selectingthe desired measurement mode—advantageously need only carry outindividual length measurements that an integrated computer in themeasuring device evaluates after the required measurements are completedand automatically determines the desired area or volume dimensions andpresents them immediately in the display panel of the measuring device.

The display panel of the measuring device according to the inventiondisplays the most recently measured value along with the length, area orvolume dimension determined by the computer.

The ease of use and intuitive understandability of the measuring deviceare supported by the fact that, by means of the method according to theinvention, the operator is instructed via the display panel as to whichpath measurements are still required in order to determine an area orvolume dimension. The operator is requested via an icon-based, graphicpresentation in the display panel of the measuring device to perform thelength measurements required. This results in a nearly self-explainingmeasuring device. No training or studying of extensive operating manualsare required with the measuring device according to the invention.

An aspect that also contributes advantageously to the safe and simpleuse of the measuring device is the fact that the operator is informedvia the display panel of the device if the measuring procedure is stillunderway. The completion of each individual measurement is indicated bymeans of an additional signal, such as an acoustic signal, for example.

In terms of the ease of use of the measuring device, it is alsoadvantageous that the measurement direction can be indicated by means ofan optical signal output with the actual measurement signal. If anultrasonic distance measuring device is used, the reference pointpointed at with the device can be checked.

An electronic memory integrated in the measuring device makes itpossible to advantageously store measured values, to add differentmeasured values, and to recall stored measured values and present themin the display panel of the measuring device.

The computer integrated in the measuring device, and its electronicmemory can be advantageously operated via buttons on the operating panelof the measuring device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is presented in the drawing andit is explained in greater detail in the subsequent description.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a device, according to theinvention, for determining length, area, and volume.

FIG. 2 shows a simplified flow diagram of the method, according to theinvention, for determining length, area, and volume.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The handheld device according to the invention and shown in aperspective view in FIG. 1 for determining length, area, andvolume—referred to hereinafter as the measuring device 10—has a housing12 that, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is composed of a tophalf-shell 14 and a bottom half-shell 16. Integrated in the housing 12and therefore not visible in FIG. 1 are a transmit unit 18 and a receiveunit 20 for the measurement signal, as well as an internal computer 22with associated memory 24.

The housing 12 has a display panel 26 and a keypad 28. In the presentexemplary embodiment of the measuring device 10 according to theinvention, the keypad 28 has a button 30 for turning the measuringdevice on and off, a button 32 for selecting the measurement mode, and ameasurement button 34 for starting each measurement procedure. Moreover,in the present exemplary embodiment, the keypad 28 has a button 36 forrecalling the contents of a memory 24 of the computer 22 located insidethe measuring device, and a button 38 for automatically adding the mostrecent measured value to the existing contents of the memory 24. Thecurrent measured value shown in the display panel 26 can be cleared bypressing a button 40 on the keypad 28 one time. Pressing the button 40twice clears the contents of the memory 24 of the internal computer 22.

Located on the front side 42 of the housing 12 is an opening 44 for themeasurement signal to leave the housing 12 and for the reflected signalto enter the housing 12. In the exemplary embodiment presented here, themeasured signal used is ultrasound. In principle, however, the inventionis not limited to the use of ultrasound as a measurement signal. Wavesof other frequencies can also be used for measuring distance.

Located on the front side 42 of the measuring device 12 is a secondopening 46, out of which an optical signal that is parallel to themeasurement signal can exit. Using this optical signal, it is possibleto accurately determine the reference point aimed at when performing ameasurement.

The back side 48 of the housing 12 of the measuring device 10 accordingto the invention functions as a reference plane for determining length.

The flow diagram shown in FIG. 2 describes the sequence and applicationof a plurality of measurement functions that are possible with thedevice according to the invention. The device has various measurementfunctions that can be selected by repeatedly pressing the measurementmode button. The sequence that occurs when the measurement mode buttonis pressed is as follows: measure length, measure area, measure volume.

The method according to the invention for determining length, area andvolume will be described hereinbelow with reference to the individualprocedural steps (S) of an exemplary embodiment.

After the device is turned on (S1) using the ON/OFF button 30, themeasuring device 10 automatically enters the “measure length” mode. Ablinking line appears in the display panel 26 as a request to theoperator to perform a length measurement. The operator must now decide(S2) if he wants to measure length or perform another measurementfunction.

If the operator wants to measure length, he can start the lengthmeasurement directly by pressing measurement button 34 on the keypad 28(S3). Before doing so, the operator must position the measuring device10, i.e., he must place the back side 48 on a point at which themeasurement is to begin. The operator positions the measuring device 10toward the target area at a right angle, then presses measurement button34 to start the measurement procedure.

During the measurement procedure, a line icon extending from right toleft in the display panel 26 indicates to the operator that ameasurement is being carried out (S4). An additional acoustic signalsounds to indicate that each individual measurement has been completed,and the actual measured value for the length measurement appearsimmediately in the lower right-hand corner of the display panel 26 ofthe measuring device 10 (S5).

If the length of a path cannot be determined internally in the device,the acoustic signal does not sound, and a display appears in the displaypanel 26 to indicate that the measurement was unsuccessful. Themeasuring device is then ready to perform further measurements.

If the operator does not want to measure length, but he does want tomeasure area or volume, he must press mode button 32 (S6) after themeasuring device is turned on (S1). After the mode button 32 is pressedonce (S6), a square icon appears in the lower left-hand corner of thedisplay panel 26 of the device 10 that indicates that the measuringdevice 10 is now in the “measure area” mode. The operator must nowdecide (S7) if he wants to measure area or volume.

If the operator wants to measure volume, he presses mode button 32 onemore time (S8). A cube icon appears in the display panel 26 of themeasuring device 10 to inform the operator that the device is now in the“measure volume” mode.

If the operator wants to measure area, the measuring device 10 is readyto measure area after step S6 is performed.

If the measuring device 10 has already been turned on and is not in the“measure area” mode, the operator must press mode button 32 repeatedlyuntil the square icon appears in the lower left-hand corner of thedisplay panel 26.

A first side of the square icon blinks in the display panel 26 of themeasuring device 10 (S9) as a request to the operator of the measuringdevice 10 to perform a first length measurement in order to determinethe desired area.

The operator presses measurement button 34 (S10) to start themeasurement procedure. Again, an acoustic signal is emitted by thedevice to indicate that the procedure has been completed.

The length value determined for the first side of the desired areaappears in the display panel 26 of the measuring device 10. Thecorresponding side of the square icon stops blinking in the display 26(S11).

A second side of the square blinks in the display 26 of the measuringdevice 10 (S12) as a request to the operator to perform a second lengthmeasurement that is orthogonal to the first measurement in order todetermine the desired area.

When measurement button 34 is pressed again (S13), the second pathlength required to calculate area is obtained. The most recentlydetermined path length and the surface area determined by the internalcomputer 22 in the measuring device 10 based on the two previous lengthmeasurements is displayed in the display panel 26 of the measuringdevice 10 (S14).

If the measuring device 10 is in the “measure volume” mode (S8), this isindicated by means of a cube icon in the lower left-hand corner of thedisplay panel 26. If the device 10 has already been turned on and is notin the “measure volume” mode, the operator must press mode button 32repeatedly until the cube icon appears in the lower left-hand corner ofthe display panel 26 of the measuring device 10.

A first side of the cube icon blinks as a request to the operator tomeasure the length of a first path of the desired volume (S16).

The operator presses measurement button 34 (S17) to determine this firstlength and display it in the display panel 26 of the measuring device10. The first side that was blinking previously stops blinking (S18).

A second side of the cube now starts blinking as a request to theoperator to measure a second orthogonal path to determine volume (S19).The operator presses measurement button 34 (S20) to determine thissecond path length.

When the measurement procedure is over, the display 26 of the measuringdevice 10 displays the most recently measured path length together witha surface area determined based on the last two path measurements. Thesecond line of the cube icon that blinks in the display panel 26 of themeasuring device 10 during the measurement now stops blinking (S21).

A third line now blinks in the display panel 26 of the measuring device10 as a request to the operator to measure a third line that isorthogonal to the two previously measured lines in order to determinethe desired volume (S22).

The operator presses measurement button 34 (S23) to determine the thirdrequired path length. This third path length is presented along with thevolume calculated by the internal computer 22 of the measuring device 10based on the three most recent length measurements in the display panel26 of the measuring device 10 (S24).

In the case of the method according to the invention, the measurementmode can be changed by repeatedly pressing the measurement mode button32 (S25). The currently selected measurement mode is indicated in eachcase by means of the corresponding icon for a line (for lengthmeasurements), a square (for area measurements) or a cube (for volumemeasurements) in the lower right-hand corner of the display panel 26 ofthe measuring device 10.

Reference Numerals

10 Measuring device

11

12 Housing

13

14 Upper half-shell

15

16 Lower half-shell

17

18 Transmit unit

19

20 Receive unit

21

22 Internal computer

23

24 Computer memory

25

26 Display panel

27

28 Keypad

29

30 ON/OFF button

31

32 Measurement mode selection button

33

34 Measurement button

35

36 Memory recall button

37

38 Memory input button

39

40 “Clear” button

41

42 Front side of the housing

43

44 Opening

45

46 Opening

47

48 Back side

49

S1 Power On

S2 Measure length?: Yes or No

S3 Start measurement

S4 Actively measuring

S5 Results display: length measurement

S6 Press measurement mode selection button

S7 Determine area?: Yes or No

S8 Press measurement mode selection button

S9 Request first measurement for determining area

S10 First measurement for determining area

S11 Display the first length value for determining area

S12 Request second measurement for determining area

S13 Second measurement for determining area

S14 Display the second length value and the area dimensions

S15 Measure volume? Yes or No

S16 Request first length measurement for determining volume

S17 First length measurement for determining volume

S18 Display the first length measurement for determining volume

S19 Request the second measurement for determining volume

S20 Second length measurement for determining volume

S21 Display the second length value and the area dimensions

S22 Request the third length measurement for determining volume

S23 Third length measurement for determining volume

S24 Display the third length value and the volume dimensions

S25 Press the measurement mode selection button

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for determining length, area, and/orvolume using a distance measuring device (10) having a transmit unit(18) and a receive unit (20) In one housing (12), a keypad (28) foroperating the measuring device (10), an integrated computer (22) forevaluating measured data, and a display panel (26) that—after theoperator (S2, SO, S8) selects a desired measurement mode—uses anicon-based graphic display to indicate which individual measurements arestill required in order to determine the desired measurement variable,wherein the operator can switch between the available measurement modesof length measurement, and area and/or volume determination by pressinga single button (32) on the keypad (28) of the measuring device (10). 2.The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement mode selectedby means of the button (32) is confirmed by means of an icon-based,graphic presentation in the display panel (26) of the measuring device(10).
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurementvariable corresponding to the measurement mode selected is determined bymeans of the computer (22) integrated in the measuring device (10) basedon individual distance measurements to be performed by the operator and,after the measurement is completed, said measurements variable isautomatically displayed in the display panel (26) of the measuringdevice (10).
 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein an additionaldistance measurement required to determine a measurement variablecorresponding to the selected measurement mode is requested of theoperator by means of a blinking line in the graphic presentationsymbolizing the selected measurement mode in the display panel (26) ofthe measuring device (10).
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein,for the duration of each distance measurement, the display panel (26) ofthe measuring device (10) indicates that the measuring device (10) isactive.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the end of everysuccessful distance measurement is indicated by means of an acousticsignal.
 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, after each distancemeasurement is completed, the result of the most recent distancemeasurement is presented in the display panel (26) of the measuringdevice (10) along with the measurement variable determined by thecomputer (22) and corresponding to the selected measurement mode.
 8. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the measuring direction of themeasuring device is indicated by means of an optical signal emitted withthe measurement signal.
 9. A measuring device for determining distance,area, and/or volume having a transmit unit (18) and a receive unit (20)in one housing (12), a keypad (28) for operating the measuring device(10), an integrated computer (22) for the direct evaluation of measureddata, and a display panel (26) for presenting the measured results,wherein the keypad (28) has only one button (32) for selecting thevarious measurement modes, and wherein the display panel (26) of themeasuring device (10) uses an icon-based graphic presentation toactively indicate which measured values are still required by theinternal computer (22) In order to determine the measurement variablecorresponding to the measurement mode selected.
 10. The measuring deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the internal computer (22) of themeasuring device (10) has an electronic memory (24) for storing measuredvalues, for adding measured values, and for recalling measured values,the contents of which can be presented in the display panel (26) of themeasuring device (10).
 11. The measuring device according to claim 10,wherein the internal computer (22) of the measuring device (10) can beoperated via buttons (36, 38, 40) of the keypad (28) of the measuringdevice (10).